Assessment of Patients’ Perception of Telemedicine Services Using the Service User Technology Acceptability Questionnaire

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5334/ijic.2219

Keywords:

telemedicine, acceptability, chronic, perception, integrated care, HTA

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this paper is to assess if similar telemedicine services integrated in the management of different chronic diseases are acceptable and well perceived by patients or if there are any negative perceptions.

Theory and methods: Participants suffering from different chronic diseases were enrolled in Veneto Region and gathered into clusters. Each cluster received a similar telemedicine service equipped with different disease-specific measuring devices. Participants were patients with diabetes (n = 163), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n = 180), congestive heart failure (n = 140) and Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices (n = 1635). The Service User Technology Acceptability Questionnaire (SUTAQ) was initially translated, culturally adapted and pretested and subsequently used to assess patients’ perception of telemedicine. Data were collected after 3 months and after 12 months from the beginning of the intervention. Data for patients with implantable devices was collected only at 12 months.

Results: Results at 12 months for all clusters are similar and assessed a positive perception of telemedicine. The SUTAQ results for clusters 2 (diabetes), 5 (COPD) and 7 (CHF) after 3 months of intervention were confirmed after 12 months.

Conclusions: Telemedicine was perceived as a viable addition to usual care. A positive perception for telemedicine services isn’t a transitory effect, but extends over the course of time.

Author Biographies

Claudio Dario, Arsenàl.IT - Veneto's Research Centre for eHealth Innovation Viale Oberdan, 5 31100 Treviso

Chairman of Arsenàl.IT Veneto’s Research Centre for eHealth Innovation, Treviso, Italy, General Manager of the Padua Teaching Hospital, Padova, Italy.

Elena Luisotto, Arsenàl.IT - Veneto's Research Centre for eHealth Innovation Viale Oberdan, 5 31100 Treviso

Clinical psychologist of Arsenàl.IT Veneto’s Research Centre for eHealth Innovation, Treviso, Italy.

Enrico Dal Pozzo, Arsenàl.IT - Veneto's Research Centre for eHealth Innovation Viale Oberdan, 5 31100 Treviso

Anthropologist of Arsenàl.IT Veneto’s Research Centre for eHealth Innovation, Treviso, Italy.

Silvia Mancin, Arsenàl.IT - Veneto's Research Centre for eHealth Innovation Viale Oberdan, 5 31100 Treviso

Project manager of Arsenàl.IT Veneto’s Research Centre for eHealth Innovation, Treviso, Italy.

Vassilis Aletras, University of Macedonia 156 Egnatia st. 54636 Thessaloniki

Associate Professor of Health Care Management & Health Economics, Department of Business Administration, University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece.

Stanton Newman, Centre for Health Services Research School of Health Sciences City University London Northampton Square London EC1V 0HB

Professor in health psychology and dean of School of Health Sciences, City University, London, UK

Lorenzo Gubian, Veneto Region Palazzo Molin S. Polo, 2514 30125 Venice

Technical Manager of Veneto Region Health Information System, Veneto Region; Venice, Italy

 

Claudio Saccavini, Arsenàl.IT - Veneto's Research Centre for eHealth Innovation Viale Oberdan, 5 31100 Treviso

Technical manager of Arsenàl.IT Veneto’s Research Centre for eHealth Innovation, Treviso, Italy.

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Published

2016-06-01

Issue

Section

Research & theory